PART 6:
There was a mild pain when he opened the eyes. His shoulder was bandaged along with the chest and it was a bit irritating.
He slowly opened his eyes trying to adjust to the mild light in the room. He tried to turn only to find that he can't. The pain was slowly rising.
He grazed his eyes along and saw Karan sleeping in a chair near to his bed, while Simi was sleeping in a make shift couch in a corner.
He looked at them for while and felt uneasy.
He tried to shift his position and gave out a gasp. Karan was awake at that instant and was startled. First he looked around and then composing turned to Arjun who had a frown in his face owing to the pain. "kya hua Shera?"
"kuch nahi..." Karan moves to him and helps him to lay down straight again.
"zyada dard hai tho doctor ko bulau?"
"no... in sabke ab aadat hai"
"oye super hero... tumhe aadat hoga. Hame ye sab dekhne ka aadat nahi hai. Waise jisne ye kiya, usse dekha tha kya? chehra yaad hai?"
"Karan... ab ye sab math puch. Sedatives ka asar kam horaha hai, ab usse khatam math kar"
"hm..." he sits back on his chair. "Acha kiya Anjali aur unke Mumma teekh waqt pe yaha pohonchaya"
"wo log..?"
"teekh hai. Ghar gaye hai"
"tum log kyu nahi gaye?"
"hamare marzi. Tumhe kya?" by this short time of staying with Arjun, he knew well how to speak to him. Arjun don't want anybody's sympathy. So he won't try to show it too.
Arjun closed his eyes to relax as he was in no mood to fight with him for now.
"aur yaha koi aur bhi the... kafi pareshan the"
Arjun looked at him. "kaun?"
"naam tho patha nahi. Par kafi tensed tha there liye"
Arjun thought it might be Coehlo or Raghu Sir. He was not sure how they were keeping tab on him, and even why.
"naam nahi pucha?"
"do log the. unme se ek kuch kehne se pehle hi chala gaya. Aur dusre ne thera khayal rakhne ko kaha."
Arjun was trying to process who it was. 2 people. He let it be as he was feeling sleepy again. Karan saw him asleep after a while and so he relaxed too.
***
Sameer and Sree both had a flight to catch. Though the breakfast time was almost silent, they knew what they wished to talk out too.
"Sree your flight is at 9 30, right?"
"yes sir."
"ok fir tum jaldi nikalne ke thaiyari karo"
"what about you sir?"
"mujhe kuch aur kaam hai Sree. I will be going back only by night. Meine mere team ko inform kar diya hai."
"sir aap kahi..."
"no. It's not for him. Par kuch aur kaam hai. Jo shayad meine adhura choda tha"
Sree didn't know what he was speaking about, but the tone said he was not going to say more.
After breakfast, Sree left for airport after a quick goodbye, while Sameer took a car to meet Coehlo again.
Coehlo had expected his stay for some more time. But as Sameer started talking, he came to know that the reason for his staying back was not Arjun.
"sir... Kiran Joshi ka case kya hua? I never heard about it later. Case mujhse Goa police ko hand over kiya tha. Kuch follow up bhi hua. Fir kya hua?"
"Wahi jo tumne bhi suna tha Sameer. He vanished. Na uske bare me kisiko patha chala, aur uss case ke bare me. Kafi time thak dhund raha tha usse. Fir baki case ke tharah wo bhi gum hogaye. Par ab achanak ye bath kyu puch rahe ho? Koi naya lead mila hai?"
"no. Bas aise hi"
Coehlo was sure if it was not so. Something has happened to make Sameer stay back in Mumbai. What can be that?
"hospital gaye the?"
"hm"
"how is he?"
"aap khud kyu nahi dekhthe sir?"he knew his tone was rude, but he hardly cared.
He took leave after sometime. But thoughts were still on an old case, some 5-6 years back. The time when he was on a new posting in Mumbai. When ETF was not even formed. When he had a buddy in the same city working in same rank as of him. When he had a good friend who was far away, but still cared to call him on his bdays and non official days. The one who brought a smile to his face.
But that case was very special. His first case in Mumbai, which gave him many shocks. Many hard times and then the case was snatched from his hands and handed over to another team, only to be failed very soon.
If only that he had hand on that case those days, then maybe her face would not have brought back memories of her tears, her baby's pathetic state, or her helplessness that was on her face on that terrible day.
***
Anjali was up and ready for breakfast. She looked at her mumma who was not so looking well. "kya hua mumma? Aap teekh tho hai na?"
"haan, I am fine. Khana khao"
"aur khane ke baad hospital bhi ja rahe hai na?"
Avni didn't say anything.
"aapne hi kaha tha na, ki hum kal chalege. So..."
"han, hum challenge. Tum khana khao"
She was worried, not because of Arjun, but because of ACP Rathod. Will she face him again? What will she say if he asks something?"
She decided to let anything happen as and when it comes. As per requested by Anjali, she packet a light breakfast for Arjun. She was not yet fully happy to do it, but the reminder that he was hurt because of them, troubled her.
When Avni and Anjali reached, Arjun was again in his sleep. Karan informed about previous night's status. He and Simi left for fresh up when Avni assured that she will be around.
Avni had to meet her colleagues too. Anjali said that she will be fine by his side and so Avni went to their common room.
After some time, Arjun slowly woke up to see Anjali close to him. "hi Mr. Arjun. Kaise ho?"
"I am good. Par tum yaha? Ithne sabere?"
"Mumma ke sath ayi thi. Wo abhi unke team se milne gayi hai"
"Karan aur Simi?"
"ghar gaye hai. Fresh hone. Ab dard hai?"
He nods no.
"jhoot bolna galath bath hai. Meine pucha hai Mumma se. Unhone kaha kafi din thak dard hoga."
"hm... par tum yaha kyu aye ho Anjali? Weekend hai. Enjoy kar sakthe tha na?"
"its ok with me. Aap mere fikar math kijiye"
"Anjali..."they turned and saw Avni at the door. "thang math karo beta. He needs rest"
Anjali sits back to the chair. Avni moves closer to the bed. She looked a bit disturbed. He could catch that.
"thanks" he voiced up. "mujhe yaha thak le ane keliye"
"Its ok Mr. Arjun. After all, ye sab hamare wajah se hua hai"
"no its not"
"um... breakfast layi hai. Thode fresh hothe tho..."
"in sabke kya zaroorth thi? Karan kar letha, even if I don't ask for it"
"its ok"
He tried to get supporting on his other hand, but it was tough. Avni stood there watching and then when she knew he can't do it, she came forward to help him. He saw she was not contacting his eyes. She helped him out to sit up leaning back to the bed and he decided for the next step only after Karan returns back.
"apko brush nahi karna, Mr. Arjun?" Anjali was still curious.
"thode baad..." he didn't want to make it uncomfortable for her. Though she was a nurse who is used to these situations, but there was something that was bothering her.
"kya kal rath ko yaha koi aur bhi tha?"
She looked up to him. He could she a sudden change in her manners. Something was really bothering her.
"no... patha nahi"
He knew she was hiding something. To help out the situation, Karan walked in.
"oys Shera... uth gaye? Chalo, fresh hoke kuch khana khathe hai. Sister ne khana layi hai"
She took a silent nod and left the place. Arjun was still wondering what's going on.
Karan tried to help him, and he was resisting. But now Karan had an upper hand. After fresh up, Arjun sat back in his bed to have the khichdi, while Anjali and Karan started their usual small war.
"give it a rest guys. Thode shant hojao"
Anjali blew her hair in frustration while Karan signalled that they will continue it later.
"Karan kal yaha kaun aya tha?"
"meine bathaya tha na... naam nahi patha"
"kaise dikthe the wo log"
"ek bandha... shayad 30s ke hoge. Gore hai. Smooth hair. Muche the. Kya attitude the boss. Dusra, thode aur kam umr ka hoga. Curly bal. Chashmish..."
Arjun could not hear more. He knew who they were. But why were they here? Aur kab thak? He sighed heavily with eyes closed. Anjali noticed it.
"kya hua Mr. Arjun? Aap janthe ho unhe?"
He sat silent for a while. "hm... shayad"
He looked away, not wanting any more questions. Why were they here? Who informed about him? Will he have to face them again? He didn't know.
***
Sameer walked to the hospital corridor again. He was not sure why he was doing it. But he surely felt that his work was incomplete. He wanted to know why that case was never solved. Or rather what had he missed?
He didn't want to come in front of Arjun again. Not that he was afraid. He didn't want to meet him. And that was plain clear.
He saw her walking to the room where Arjun was admitted. He stood by the wall opposite and casually looked in. The little kid was talking to Arjun and so was she. He couldn't see her face as she was facing Arjun's bed. But something told him that she and Arjun were not in comfortable terms. Her hesitance in helping him at the first hand and then later going to him when he actually needed it, said it loud. He saw Arjun leaning back to the pillow. Soon he felt the guy who was with Arjun coming up in the same corridor.
He didn't want another encounter now. He moved away to the corridor before Karan could notice him.
When he went inside Sameer sat down on a chair waiting for her. And she came out soon. She came and stood in front of him. It was again a shocking moment for her. Why was he here again?
She didn't know about his past with Arjun. Only what she could link now was with her past with him.
"Mrs. Avni Joshi. Right?"
Yes he did remember her. Now her confusion was clear. He was here for her... and him.
She gathered up her lost voice. "no sir. Its just Avni now."
"naam badalne se kuch nahi hoga Mrs. Joshi. I hope you know that"
"mere naam me hi sab kuch tha sir. Par wo ab nahi raha. Haan agar hai, tho wo sirf mere beti keliye. She needed a name as her father. And so it is"
He always wondered this lady. Long back then and even now. She looked weak, but she was not.
"where is he? Kiran... kaha hai wo?"
She breathed hard when he asked it.
"kash is sawal ke jawab, aap khud mujhe depatha ACP sir. I just wish..."
He knew she was not wrong. But he was helpless too.
"I trusted you sir... aur aap bhi... sabke tharah... mujhe aur meri beti ko dhoka diya. Hum aap me ithna bharosa kiya, thaki wo ek din hamare wapas aye. Aur hume kya mila? Na ab unke koi patha hai, aur na wajood. Kaha hai apke wada sir? Where is he?"
She had this bottled up pain for a long time. She had hidden it from the world from the day one. All through her days with a girl who had loads of trouble even to stand up, she had stood strong. When Anjali was old enough to understand little bit, she for the first time found a shoulder to cry upon. And now here he was... again to scratch over her fresh wounds.
She kept her gaze for a while and walked out of the hospital. He didn't stop her. She just walked out and took a cab and gave her home address. She felt guilty to leave Anjali back at hospital. At a spur of events she just wanted to run away. Even she forgot her daughter. She called Anjali's phone. "beta, Mumma ek kaam keliye hospital se bahar hu. I will come back soon. Tum ussi room me rehna."
"ji Mumma."
"sorry beta."
"its ok Mumma. I wil be here"
She reached home and locked herself up. The room gave her solace and she cried out.
***
Anjali was confused why her Mumma acted a bit weird.
"mumma kahi gayi hai, mujhe yahi rukhne ko kaha hai. Par patha nahi kyu, kal se Mumma kafi pareshan hai. Aur shayad uss uncle ko dekhne ke baad se..."
"kaunse uncle?"Arjun asked up.
"wahi... shayad jinke bare me Mr. Karan ne bathaya. Wo much wale uncle ko."
Rathod? Why was she worried about him? And sudden going, was it because of him.
"Karan check karo ke bahar koi hai ke nahi"
Karan looks out at the corridor. He saw that man walking away. He turned to Arjun. "haan wahi hai. Ja rahe hai. Bulau?"
"no. Let him go"
He was not getting what's going on. How was Avni related to Sameer?
***
Sameer was driving away. He could remember her words well. He couldn't blame her. She was right. She trusted him. But he couldn't keep upto it.
"Avni... jiss raste se Kiran jarahe hai... uss raste me sirf tabahi hi hogi. Stop him"
"ACP sir, Kiran aise kuch karega, mujhe viswas nahi horaha hai..."
"tumne kaha tha na... ke wo apne beti se bohot pyaar karthe hai. Tho I am sure wo usse milne zaroor ayega"
"aap kehne kya chahthe ho sir? Ke mein apne pati ke khilaf jau?"
"agar Kiran ko ab nahi roka, tho wo sab bigaad dege Avni. We will have to stop him. Agar wo sab kuch qubool kar dega, then I promise, you will get him back. You will have your Kiran, apni beti ki papa... and you may stay happy forever. Bas ek bar wo apne gunah qubool karde, aur jo unke upar hai, unka naam dede... then everything will be just fine."
"sorry sir... I can't do this"
He could still remember her walking away with the baby.
***
In the home, she was tired of crying. She opened her drawer where there was his picture.
She ran her fingers over his face. She could feel his presence near to her. His love, from the time when they first met. Against all the odds and pressures, they got married. When none of her parents supported it, they took a small home for rent. He worked as receptionist in a hotel and their life was going just perfect. There was just love all around. When she was pregnant, she felt she was the luckiest girl alive. He showered her with love.
With birth of Anjali, they were broken to see her baby's plight. But still they stood closer. Everything was still back to normal, until her treatment expense was going above their budget.
Days when they struggled a lot. Maybe he might have found a way to keep up. He mentioned it as a new job.
Then came ACP Rathod with some information. She believed everything that he told was lie. Until that night.
She heard a knock and opened the door to see Kiran over there. He looked tired and weary. He came in quick. "kya hua Kiran? Kaha the ithne din?"
He moved to the room and started pulling out a few bags. "kya yaha koi aya tha Avni?"
"haan. Aur bohot ajeeb ajeeb bathein bhi keh rahe the. ye sab kya hai Kiran? Tell me, sab jhoot hai na?"
He stopped in between his packing. "pack karo. Hum jarahe hai. Yaha se dur"
"kyu?" now she was panicking. Was the ACP right?
"wo sab baadme bathathe hai. Yaha safe nahi hai. Tum aur Anjali yaha nahi rukhega. Hume jaana hoga"
He started packing Avni's and Anjali's dress. She went and made him face her holding his arms. He could see her filled eyes. And she could feel his fear in those eyes.
"kya hua Kiran? Kahi tumse kuch galath tho nahi hua hai na? Jo bhi hai, bolo. We will clear it off together"
She could see him shivering. His eyes were full and she could swear it was of guilt. He hugged her tight and broke down. "I am sorry Avni. I am sorry. I just wanted to help. Thaki hamari Anjali ke treatment teekh se ho. I am sorry"
She patted his back and let him cry out. She made him sit on the bed where her baby was sleeping. She wiped those tears and sat opposite to him on her knees. "don't worry, sab teekh hoga. Mein keh rahi hu na. Sab kuch teekh hoga"
He lied on Anjali's side and hugged her. He kissed her forehead and lied by her. "please apne papa se naraaz math hona. Apke papa bure nahi hai."
Avni was already broken by his words. She sat by his side and patted his hair. Slowly he drifted to sleep. He was tired of running. He looked calm when he slept.
She never knew how long she sat looking at him. Little did she know that this was the last peaceful moment of their life.
She kissed his hair and went out to the hall. She had the card that was given to her. She looked at the Maa Kali idol.
"agar mein jo kar rahi hu, wo galath hai, tho please mujhe maaf kar dena. Mein bas meri Kiran ke madad karna chahthi hu. Aur shayad ek hi insaan ab hamare madad kar sakthe hai. Please mere sath dena Maa. Hume apke zaroorath hai"
She for the last time looked again at the sleeping family she had and dialled a number. "hello ACP Rathod? Mein Avni..."
She woke up with a start. She never knew when she had fallen asleep. For past 6 years, she woke up with the same cry. With the same memory. With the same words.
He looked angry and was pushing away the men that held him. He was so violent. She was frightened. Anjali was awake by the commotion. She was crying too. Avni held her baby tight in her arms.
He was pushed to the police van. He looked at her with all the anger.
"kyu kiya ye sab? You betrayed me Avni... aur mein tumhe kabhi maaf nahi karunga... you are a cheat... I hate you..."
She closed her ears now and there by dropping the photoframe in her hand. The glass shattered and he still looked smiling behind it.
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